Software updating method and radio communication apparatus

ABSTRACT

A radio communication apparatus to be changed in function by software, when downloading software from a download server, first downloads software limited in operation and then configures a software radio section. After the configuration and the operation confirmation have been normally completed, execution-allowing key information is requested and received. Using it, reconfiguration is carried out in part thereby enabling all the operations. Accordingly, it is possible to safely carry out a download and a setting update of software to the radio communication apparatus.

THIS APPLICATION IS A U.S. NATIONAL PHASE APPLICATION OF PCTINTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PCT/JP2004/001650.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a software updating method and radiocommunication apparatus which is to be updated by downloading software,in a radio communication apparatus having a function to be changed bychanging software.

BACKGROUND ART

In the radio communication apparatuses (hereinafter, referred to assoftware radio apparatuses) having a function to be changed by changingsoftware, there is disclosed an example, e.g., in JP-A-02-176954 andJP-A-09-331579, as a method for updating a function by downloadingsoftware (hereinafter, referred to as configuration) and carrying outradio communications based on a new function.

Using FIG. 8, explanation is made below on one example of arrangementand operation of a method for updating the setting on a radio apparatusby downloading the conventional software.

The software data 706, to be downloaded from the download server 702 tothe software radio apparatus 700, is conveyed through a channel 705. Adownload control section 703 confirms whether or not data parttransmitted has an injury due to erroneous reception or the like, tothereby download the data part while taking a process of resending or soas required. Herein, the to-be-downloaded software is concretely aprogram for the CPU (Central Processing Unit), the DSP (Digital SignalProcessor) or the like constituting the software radio section 701,including FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) configuration data andfurther control information for an analog-digital converting section andanalog processing section.

The downloaded software 707 is stored in a non-volatile memory section7011 structured by a flash ROM or the like. When download is completedin the software entirety, the notification information 708 aboutdownload normal completion is supplied from the download control section703 to the configuration control section 7012. In the software radiosection 701, the program and setting data etc. stored in thenon-volatile memory section 7011 is read out under control of theconfiguration control section 7012 and supplied to each componentsection through a bus 7013, thus implementing configuration.

In the arrangement and operation as above, the software is read in thesoftware radio section 701. The function on the new software is madeusable.

However, in the case to change the function of software radio section bydownloading software by the arrangement like the above, a problem arisesas follows.

Namely, when the software radio section 701 is configured by the newsoftware, in case configuration can not be normally done and thesoftware radio section stayed in abnormal setting is started up, thereis a possibility to send an unnecessary radio signal resulting indisturbance to other stations.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a software updatemethod and a radio communication apparatus using the method, made inorder to solve the foregoing conventional problem, for preventing theoperation, such as abnormal radio transmission, encountered whereconfiguration is not normally made during configuring a software radioapparatus by downloading software.

A method of updating software according to the present invention, in aradio communication system comprising a radio communication apparatushaving a communication function to be changed by changing software and adownload server for supplying software to the radio communicationapparatus, has: a step for the radio communication apparatus to downloadsoftware data limited in communication function from the downloadserver; a step for the radio communication apparatus to reconfigure thecommunication function by use of the software data which the radiocommunication apparatus has downloaded; a step for the radiocommunication apparatus to test for a communication functionreconfigured; a step for the radio communication apparatus to requestexecution-allowing key information for canceling the function limitationin a case determining the test result normal; a step for the downloadserver to supply the execution-allowing key information to the radiocommunication apparatus in response to the request; and a step for theradio communication apparatus to cancel the function limitation by useof the execution-allowing key information supplied.

Due to this, the radio communication apparatus is first released offunction limitation after confirming that software update is normal.Accordingly, abnormal radio transmission is prevented from being madedue to update abnormality.

Meanwhile, a method of updating software according to the invention, ina radio communication system comprising a radio communication apparatushaving a communication function to be changed by changing software and alicense server for supplying execution-allowing key information forcanceling a limitation in the communication function, has: a step forthe radio communication apparatus to download software data limited incommunication function which is read from a media connected; a step forthe radio communication apparatus to reconfigure the communicationfunction by use of the software data downloaded; a step for the radiocommunication apparatus to test for a communication functionreconfigured; a step for the radio communication apparatus to requestexecution-allowing key information for canceling the limitation to thelicense server in a case determining the test result normal; a step forthe license server to supply the execution-allowing key information tothe radio communication apparatus in response to the request; and a stepfor the radio communication apparatus to cancel the limitation by use ofthe execution-allowing key information supplied.

Due to this, the radio communication apparatus, even in the caseinitially not possessing a communication function but allowed to acquiresoftware only from a media, can update software and hold a communicationfunction. Furthermore, because function limitation is canceled onlyafter confirming that software update is normal, abnormal radiotransmission is prevented from being made due to update abnormality.

Meanwhile, A method of updating software according to the invention has:a step for a radio communication apparatus having a communicationfunction to be changed by changing software to download software datalimited in communication function which is read out of a first mediaconnected; a step for the radio communication apparatus to reconfigurethe communication function by use of the software data downloaded; astep for the radio communication apparatus to test for a communicationfunction reconfigured; a step for the radio communication apparatus toread execution-allowing key information for canceling the limitation outof a second media in a case determining the test result normal; and astep for the radio communication apparatus to cancel the functionlimitation by use of the execution-allowing key information.

Due to this, the radio communication apparatus, even in the caseinitially not possessing a communication function but capable ofobtaining software only from a media, can update software and hold acommunication function. Furthermore, because function limitation iscanceled without using the communication function after confirming thatsoftware update is normal, abnormal radio transmission is prevented frombeing made due to update abnormality. Furthermore, even in case thatcommunications over a network or the like are not in an unavailablestate, processing of canceling the limitation is possible.

Meanwhile, a radio communication apparatus in a method of updatingsoftware according to the invention, further provides a step for theradio communication apparatus to write information representative ofbeing already-used to the second media after canceling the limitation byuse of the execution-allowing key information. Due to this, the secondmedia is prevented from being unduly reused to cancel the functionlimitation from another radio communication apparatus.

Meanwhile, a communication function test in a method of updatingsoftware according to the invention is to output a transmission signalgenerated by the radio communication apparatus as a power that can bedetected by the radio communication apparatus itself, to determinewhether or not the transmission signal received satisfies apredetermined performance, and thus to render it normal in a case ofsatisfying. Due to this, the radio communication apparatus singly isallowed to determine whether or not software update has been normal.

Meanwhile, the predetermined performance to be determined by acommunication function test in a method of updating software accordingto the invention means that a spectrum mask of transmission signal, leakpower to an outside of occupation band, modulation accuracy of amodulation signal including phase jitter and amplitude variation, andreception power, are within a range of a predetermined value. Due tothis, it is possible to detect a bad effect upon another apparatus dueto a fact the radio communication apparatus has not been normallyupdated in software.

Meanwhile, in a method of updating software according to the invention,it is characterized in that download of the software data is by way of afirst communication link, while transmission of execution-allowing keyinformation is by way of a second communication link. Due to this, forsoftware data download and execution-allowing key informationtransmission, optimal communication link can be selected respectively.

Meanwhile, the first communication link in a method of downloadingupdating software according to the invention is a communication link ina broadcast type or a multicast type, and the second communication linkis a link in a communication type. Due to this, it is possible toachieve both communication link traffic efficiency improvement andprivacy assurance.

Meanwhile, the function limitation in a method of updating softwareaccording to the invention is at least any one limitation of a digitalsignal process and an analog reception process in the radiocommunication apparatus, the execution-allowing key information isdifferential program data for restoring a program of the digital signalprocess in a case a digital signal process is limited, and is controldata for canceling an operation limitation in the analog receptionprocess in a case an analog reception process is limited.

Due to this, because limitation is not added in respect of analogtransmission process possibly having an effect upon radio-wavetransmission performance, transmission performance does not change ataround limitation cancellation. Negative effect can be prevented frombeing exerted to other radio equipments after canceling the limitation.

A radio communication apparatus according to the invention having acommunication function to be changed by changing software ischaracterized by comprising: a download control section for downloadingsoftware limited in part of communication function from a downloadserver for supplying software and execution-allowing key information forcanceling the limitation; a software radio section for storing softwaredownloaded by the download control section and updating thecommunication function by use of software stored; and a test section fordetermining whether the communication function reconfigured is normallydone or not; whereby, when the test section determines it normal, thedownload control section downloads the execution-allowing keyinformation and cancels the limitation to the software radio section.

Due to this, the radio communication apparatus is canceled of functionlimitation only after confirming that software update is normally done.Accordingly, it is possible to prevent abnormal radio transmission frombeing carried out due to update abnormality.

Meanwhile, the software radio section of a radio communication apparatusaccording to the invention has a non-volatile memory section for storingthe software downloaded by the download control section, and aconfiguration control section for updating communication function by useof the software stored. Due to this, even in case the radiocommunication apparatus is powered off, the downloaded software can beheld. Accordingly, reconfiguration can be made by the configurationcontrol section in any time convenient for the radio communicationapparatus.

Meanwhile, the software limited in function of a radio communicationapparatus according to the invention is a rewrite in part of a programfor a digital signal processing section in the software radio section,and the execution-allowing key information is differential program datafor restoring the program for a digital signal processing section. Dueto this, because limitation is not made in respect of analogtransmission process possibly having an effect upon radio-wavetransmission performance, transmission performance does not change atand around limitation cancellation. Negative effect can be preventedfrom being exerted to other radio equipments after canceling thelimitation.

Meanwhile, a radio communication apparatus according to the invention ischaracterized by comprising: an interface section for having aconnection with a media storing software; a first download controlsection for downloading software limited in communication function fromthe media through the interface section; a software radio section forupdating the communication function by use of software downloaded by thedownload control section; a second download control section for having aconnection to a license server for supplying execution-allowing keyinformation to cancel the limitation through a wireless communicationchannel connected with the software radio section; and a test sectionfor determining whether the communication function reconfigured by thesoftware data is normal or not; whereby, when the test sectiondetermines the function normal, the second download control sectiondownloads the execution-allowing key information and cancels thelimitation to the software radio section.

Due to this, the radio communication apparatus, even in the caseinitially not possessing a communication function but allowed to acquiresoftware only from a media, can update software and hold a communicationfunction. Furthermore, because software update normality can beconfirmed without using communication function, it is possible toprevent abnormal radio transmission due to update abnormality.Furthermore, even in case that communications over a network or the likeare not in an unavailable state, processing of canceling the limitationis possible.

Meanwhile, the software to be downloaded by a radio communicationapparatus according to the invention includes a program for connectingthrough a wireless communication channel with the license server byupdating the software radio section. Due to this, the radiocommunication apparatus, even in the case initially not possessing acommunication function but allowed to acquire software only from amedia, can update software and hold a communication function.Furthermore, because function limitation is canceled only afterconfirming that software update is normal, abnormal radio transmissionis prevented from being made due to update abnormality.

Meanwhile, a radio communication apparatus according to the inventionhaving a communication function to be changed by changing software ischaracterized by comprising: an interface section for having aconnection with a media storing at least any one of software data andexecution-allowing key information for canceling communication functionlimitation; a download control section for downloading, from the media,the software data limited in communication function and theexecution-allowing key information; and a test section for determiningwhether the communication function updated by the software is normal ornot; whereby, when the test section determines the function normal, thedownload control section downloads the execution-allowing keyinformation and cancels the limitation to the software radio section.

Due to this, the radio communication apparatus, even in the caseinitially not possessing a communication function but allowed to acquiresoftware only from a media, can update software and hold a communicationfunction. Furthermore, after confirming that software update is normal,function limitation is canceled only by acquiring execution-allowing keyinformation from the media. Communications can be commenced after placedin the final state. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent abnormalradio transmission due to an unsettled status.

As above, according to the present invention, it is possible to preventabnormal radio transmission from encountering where configuration withdownloaded software is not normally completed, causing an imperfectstate of radio apparatus.

Meanwhile, similar effect is available where the function of a softwareradio apparatus is updated by reading out the software stored in astorage media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a download system arrangement diagram for a software radioapparatus in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of softwaredownload and configuration in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a download system arrangement diagram for a software radioapparatus in a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of softwaredownload and configuration in the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an arrangement diagram of a software radio apparatus in athird embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of softwaredownload and configuration in the third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed arrangement diagram of a software radio apparatusin the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional softwaredownload system.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be explained indetail by using the drawings.

Embodiment 1

This embodiment explains the arrangement and procedure for obtaining anexecution permission for all the post-update functions by receivingagain the execution-allowing key information in the final stage ofdownload during updating, by downloading software, onto so-called asoftware radio apparatus having a function to be changed by changingsoftware.

FIG. 1 shows a download system for a software radio apparatus in a firstembodiment, which is constituted by a software radio apparatus 100, adownload server 100 and a communication link 105.

Furthermore, the software radio apparatus 100 comprises a software radiosection 101 and a download control section 103. The software radiosection 101 is a radio apparatus having a function to be changed byrewriting the software. This is arranged, for example, by a non-volatilememory section 1011, a configuration control section 1012, adigital-signal processing section 1019, an analog-digital convertingsection (A/D·D/A converting section) 1016, and an analog processingsection 1017.

The non-volatile memory section 1011 stores input software program dataand reads and outputs data as required. This is arranged by a device,e.g., a flash ROM or an EEPROM, having a storage content not to beerased even when power is off.

The configuration control section 1012 configures the component sectionsby the use of a downloaded stored program and setting data according todownload-completion notifying information 109, and outputs controlinformation 110 about whether configuration has been completed or not.

The digital-signal processing section 1019 is arranged by a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 1013, a digital signal processor (DSP) 1014, and aprogrammable gate array (FPGA) 1015, the processing content of which canbe changed by rewriting the program or configuration data.

Incidentally, the CPU 1013 carries out the operation processing andcontrol processing required in the software radio section 101, on thebasis of the program read therein. Various types of CPU devices areapplicable. Incidentally, the arrangement may be such that operatingsystem (OS) is read in the CPU as required so that the software radioprocessing program and other component sections can be executed andcontrolled over the OS.

Meanwhile, the DSP 1014 carries out the complicated, large amount ofsignal processing uniquely required in software radio processing, on thebasis of the program read therein. Various DSP devices are applicable.

Meanwhile, the FPGA 1015 carries out the operation processing andcontrol required in the software radio section 101, on the basis of theconfiguration data read therein. Various types of FPGAs (FieldProgrammable Gate Array) devices, PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) andthe like are applicable.

The analog-digital converting section 1016 is to convert the signal ofthe analog processing section to/from the digital processing section, inthe software radio section 101. This is configured by an A/D converterfor quantizing an analog signal and converting it into a digital signal,and a D/A converter for converting a digital signal and converting itinto an analog signal. The invention is arranged to control, forexample, sampling rate, quantization bits and converted-signal outputon/off as required, for the above A/D converter and D/A converter.Importance is placed in that these of control data are included in partof the software data supplied from a download server 102. There are nolimitations in the converter internal arrangement, the number and thelike.

The analog processing section 1017 carries out the analog signalprocessing in the software radio section 101, specifically frequencyconversion processing and amplification processing, for example, inrespect of radio communications. This is arranged by a synthesizersection, a mixer section, a filter section, an amplifier section and soon. The arrangement may be such that the oscillation frequency in thesynthesizer section, the frequency characteristic in the filter section,and the gain in the amplifier section can be placed under control, asrequired. The control data, in this case, can be a part of the softwareto be supplied from the download server 102.

The download control section 103 transmits the data for downloadingsoftware data with the download server 102 through the communicationlink 105. This also outputs a downloaded program, setting data, etc. tothe non-volatile memory section 1011, and inputs/outputs controlinformation 109, 110 to/from the configuration control section 1012.

The download server 102 carries out data transmission with the downloadcontrol section 103 in the software radio apparatus 100 through thecommunication link 105, to supply software data to the software radioapparatus 100.

In the invention, although the form of communication link 105 is notespecially limited, the arrangement may use, for example, a connectionbased on the Internet protocol, a serial connection such as USB, or thelike. Otherwise, the arrangement may use a wireless communication link.

In the download system for a software radio apparatus arranged as above,explanation is made step by step in the below on the method andprocedure for downloading and configuring software data onto thesoftware radio apparatus 100, while using a flowchart shown in FIG. 2.

In the case to change the function of the software radio section 101, arequired procedure is made in starting a download transmission sessionbetween the download server 102 and the download control section 103(step S101). Although various methods have already been disclosedconcerning the operation and procedure at a start of session, theinvention is not especially limited in this part of operation andprocedure. Also, the invention does not require to positively carry outindividual authentication in the stage of download start procedure.

Subsequently, data part of software is transmitted from the downloadserver 102 through the communication link 105. The download controlsection 103 of the software radio apparatus 100 confirms whether or notthere is a corruption, etc. in the data part due to erroneous reception.It carries out a downloading of the data part while taking a procedureof retransmission or the like, as required (step S102). In the softwareradio apparatus arrangement like this embodiment, the program andsetting data 107 for component sections acquired by the download arestored to the non-volatile memory 1011. Herein, the setting data forcomponent sections, in part, is intentionally rewritten and restrictedin operation. For example, in the case the downloaded program is aprogram part of CPU or DSP, rewrite is made to limit some of thesubroutine calls. Meanwhile, in the case the downloaded setting data isa configuration-data part for FPGA, rewrite is made not to configuresome of I/O pins' connection setting. The analog-digital convertingsection 1016 is under control to allow conversion output up to a certainrestricted time limit. In the analog processing section 1017, thereceivable channels in radio signal reception are assumably limited toparticular part of channels or gain amount upon reception-signalamplification is assumably limited. Incidentally, the limitation asabove may be in all the component sections. Otherwise, programs orsetting data may be rewritten to provide a limitation only to part ofcomponent sections.

These limitations are added to the digital-signal process or ananalog-reception process having no effect upon transmission performance.It is not added to the analog-transmission process possibly having aneffect upon the performance of radio transmission. Thus, transmissionperformance is free from change before and after canceling thelimitation.

Then, the download control section 103 of the software radio apparatus100 determines whether or not data part of software has been normallydownloaded to the non-volatile memory section 1011. In the case notnormally downloaded, notified is download-failure notificationinformation 108 for notifying the fact of download failure to thedownload server 102 (step S110). Then, the process is ended (step S102).Herein, as for download success/failure, previously added is a CRCparity check code for downloaded software data. Determination can beeasily made by the known method, e.g., carrying out an error detectionprocess by using this code. As for success/failure determination, checkcodes may be generated consistently for all the component sections, orcheck codes may be generated respectively for component sections. In thecase of a normal completion of download, download-completionnotification information 109 is supplied to the configuration controlsection 1012, and the process moves to procedure (step S104).

Then, the configuration control section 1012 of the software radioapparatus 100 reads out the programs and setting data stored in thenon-volatile memory section 1011 and supplies it to each constituentsection through the bus. Thus, configuration is performed for thesoftware radio section 101 (step S104). Specifically, executed are achange of the PLL-setting parameter of the synthesizer in the analogprocessing section 1017, a change in setting value of quantization bitsand sampling rate in the analog-digital converting section 1016, areconfiguration of the gate array in the FPGA 1015, loading of anexecution program in the DSP 1014 and CPU 1013, for example.

Then, the configuration control section 1012 of the software radioapparatus 100 determines whether or not configuration on eachconstituent section has been completed, and supplies a determinationresult 110 to the download control section 103 (step S105).

Herein, explained below are concrete examples as to in what waydetermination is made for a success/failure of configuration completionon each constituent section.

As a first concrete example, it is assumed that a predeterminedfrequency band and specific communication scheme is previously preparedfor the functional test on the software radio section 101, a teststation is separately prepared remotely that a performance test on thetransmission signal from the software radio section 101 is to beconducted by using the frequency band, and the software provided fromthe download server 102 includes a program and data setting forconducting a test operation with the foregoing test station. In such anenvironment, the software radio section 101 changes the setting ofcomponent sections to meet a predetermined frequency and predeterminedscheme prepared for the functional test, on the basis of the downloaded,configured program and setting data. The test station receives a testtransmission signal sent from the software radio section 100 andevaluates whether or not its performance satisfies a desired regulation.Herein, the desired regulation includes, for example, a regulationconcerning the spectral mask for transmission signal and the leakcomponent to an outside of the occupation band and a regulationconcerning a modulation accuracy or frequency accuracy of modulationsignal. In the case determined that the desired performance satisfiesthe regulation, the test station sends a predetermined modulation signalat a predetermined frequency band inserted with the information forconfirming normal operation to the software radio section 101. Thesoftware radio section 101 receives the foregoing signal normally, anddetermines that, by receiving the information for confirming normaloperation from a reception result, the transmission and receptionoperations in the software radio section 101 have functioned normally tonormally complete the configuration. Herein, the test communicationsbetween the software radio section 101 and the test station may be in anarrangement to be conducted within a closed space, such as a shield roompreventing against radio wave leak toward the outside. Also, the testcommunications between the software radio section 101 and the teststation are not necessarily through the radio channel but may be in anarrangement to be conducted by a wired-connection to the test stationusing a cable from an antenna I/O port.

As a second concrete example, explained is the arrangement and operationexample where the software radio section 101 determines by itself asuccess/failure of configuration without separately using a teststation, by using FIG. 7. Incidentally, explanation is herein made as anexample on the case that communications are carried out on TDD (timedivision duplex).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an arrangement example in greater detail ofthe software radio apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. Although FIG. 1 depicts onlythe connection relationship of the control flow, FIG. 7 depicts aconnection relationship of the signal flow.

The analog processing section 1017 has an antenna 10171, an antennaswitch 10172, an analog-transmission processing section 10173, ananalog-reception processing section 10174 and a power monitor section10175. The analog-transmission processing section 10173 has variousprocessing sections for generating a predetermined analog-transmissionsignal. However, shown herein are a frequency converting section 101731for frequency-converting at least an input analog-transmission signal ina low frequency band into a predetermined RF frequency band, and a poweramplifying section 101732 for amplification into a predeterminedtransmission power. Meanwhile, this software radio apparatus 100 isassumably added with a function to control the level of transmissionpower. For the transmission-power level control, the arrangement isassumably that the power value of a transmission output signal ismeasured at the power monitor section 10175, to feed a measurementresult back to the power amplifying section 101732.

The digital-signal processing section 1019 has a digital-transmissionprocessing section 10191, a digital-reception processing section 10192and a transmission-signal test processing section 10193. Meanwhile, thetransmission-signal test processing section 10193 is arranged by a powermeasuring section 101931, a spectrum analyzing section 101932 and amodulation-accuracy analyzing section 101933, to test for theperformance of a transmission signal. This corresponds to the testsection.

The analog-digital converting section 1016 has a D/A converting section10161 and A/D converting sections 10162, 10163.

Explanation is made below on the operation for determining asuccess/failure of configuration by evaluating transmission signalperformances, such as transmission power during transmission, leak powerto the adjacent channel and modulation accuracy, in the software radioapparatus 100 configured as above.

The digital-transmission processing section 10191 generates a digitalvalue of a test signal required to evaluate the performance of atransmission signal, and outputs it to the D/A converting section 10161.Herein, the test signal uses a signal using, for example, a pseudorandom code as transmission data and processed by a predeterminedmodulation process.

Then, the test transmission signal converted into an analog signal inthe D/A converting section 10161 is subjected to a predeterminedfrequency-conversion process and power amplification in theanalog-transmission processing section 10173. The amplified testtransmission signal is transmitted through the antenna switch 10172 andantenna 10171. Meanwhile, the signal outputted from the power amplifyingsection 101732 is, on one hand, supplied to the power monitor section10175 and measured for power of test transmission signal. Themeasurement result is fed back to the power amplifying section 101732,on one hand, in order for power control, and supplied to the A/Dconverting section 10162 and supplied, after digital-converted, to thepower measuring section 101931 of the transmission-signal testprocessing section 10193. The power measuring section 101931 measures apower value and determines whether or not an obtained power value ismade as a predetermined transmission power.

Meanwhile, on one hand, the antenna switch 10172, because part of thetransmission signal leaks into the reception system, conductsperformance test on another signal by the use of the leak signal. Theanalog-reception processing section 10174 carries out a receptionoperation in tune with an RF frequency of the transmission signal in thetiming the above test transmission is made, besides the operation in thetiming to carry out the usual reception signal processing. A low-noiseamplifying section 101741, although amplifying an input signal, may bearranged to suppress amplification gain where there is great leak amountof a test transmission signal. The amplified test signal is subjected toa predetermined frequency conversion process and filtering process inthe frequency converting section 101742. The obtained test signal in lowfrequency band is converted into a digital signal in the A/D convertingsection 10163. The obtained digital signal is supplied to thedigital-reception processing section 10192, and to a spectrum analyzingsection 101932 and modulation-accuracy analyzing section 101933 of thetransmission-signal analyzing section 10193.

The spectrum analyzing section 101932 carries out an FFT (fast Fouriertransform) process or DFT (discrete Fourier transform) process on theinput digital signal, and computes a spectrum characteristic at aroundthe frequency band of the test signal. The obtained spectrumcharacteristic is used to determine whether or not the transmissionspectrum also has properties, such as mask characteristic and leak powerratio to the adjacent channel band, satisfying a predeterminedregulation.

Meanwhile, the modulation-accuracy analyzing section 101933 computes amodulation accuracy of the test signal from the input digital signal,and determines whether or not a computation value satisfies apredetermined regulation value.

In the above, in the case that a desired characteristic is not satisfiedin any of the power measuring section 101931, the spectrum analyzingsection 101932 and the modulation-accuracy analyzing section 101933, itis determined that the post-configuration operation in the softwareradio apparatus 100 is not normal.

Incidentally, when testing such a transmission signal, radio waves maybe prevented from radiating by removing the connection to the antenna10171. In this case, the connection-removal operation may be done as aphysical disconnecting operation by the user or as an automatic removingoperation based on electric switching on/off.

Incidentally, the above explained the operation example of test on thepremise of TDD. However, also in the case of FDD, similar test ispossible to conduct by providing an antenna coupler in place of theantenna switch 10172. Namely, in case the characteristic thetransmission signal leaks toward the reception system in the antennacoupler is previously stored, it is possible to conduct a test by theuse of a transmission signal tuned to the same RF frequency as thetransmission signal in the reception signal and leaked to the receptionsignal as in the above.

The software radio apparatus arranged as above downloads, from thedownload server 102, the software including a program and data settingto generate by itself a transmission signal in the software radiosection 101 and reception-operate the outputted signal by the softwareradio section 101 itself. By the output operation from the softwareradio section 101 newly configured, the analog-reception processingsection 10174 receives the signal transmitted by itself and evaluate thesignal whether a desired performance is satisfied.

As a third concrete example, in the case that an abnormal amount ofcurrent flows in the power supply section of the software radio section101 or battery consumption in the case of battery drive is more intensethan expected, it is possible to detect an abnormal operation in thesoftware radio section 101 and determine a success/failure ofconfiguration in an equivalent fashion by observing these symptoms.

In the case determined that the arrangement has not completed normallyin the above determination, configuration failure information 111 isnotified to the download server 102 (step S111), and thereafter theprocedure is ended. In the case determined that the arrangement hascompleted normally, the process moves to step S106.

Incidentally, in this determination, operation may be made such thatresetting is tried a predetermined number of times even in the caseresetting has not been successful.

Then, the download control section 103 of the software radio apparatus100 sends, to the download server 102, a key-information request signal112 notifying a normal completion of configuration in the software radiosection 101 and requesting for sending an execution-allowing keyinformation (step S106). Herein, the signal 112 includes both individualID information provided to the software radio apparatus 100 and IDinformation of the user who uses the software radio apparatus 100.Incidentally, concerning the part of individual ID or user IDinformation, the arrangement may be with encryption in respect ofsecurity. Individual ID information can use a number to be assigned tothe individual radio apparatus, e.g., manufacture serial number,radio-station license number or the like of the software radio apparatus100. The user ID, in the case of credit card ID number ormembership-based service, can use member's number or the like.

Then, the download server 102, when receiving an execution allowing keyrequest signal 112 sent from the software radio apparatus 100,individually authenticates the software radio apparatus 100 on the basisof the ID information contained in the signal, and processes for billingor the like as required (step S107). In the case of a failure ofindividual authentication or billing process for a certain reason,failure-concerned information 113 is notified to the software radioapparatus 100 (step S112). Thereafter, the procedure is ended. In thecase the individual authentication or billing process is completednormally, the process moves to step S108.

Then, the execution-allowing key information 114 is forwarded from thedownload server 102 to the download control section 103 of the softwareradio apparatus 100 through the communication link 105 (step S108).Herein, the execution-allowing key information 114 assumably correspondsto a differential program or differential-setting data for canceling thelimitation matter in the respective component sections of the CPU 1013,DSP 1014, FPGA 1015, analog-digital converting section 1016 and analogprocessing section 1017 of the software radio section 101. Meanwhile,the execution-allowing key information 111 may be structured withencryption to be decrypted only by the software radio apparatus 100, inrespect of security.

Then, the configuration control section 1012 of the software radioapparatus 100 writes part of the newly downloaded differential programor differential-setting data to the respective component sections,thereby completing the configuration to the software radio section 101.All the functions based on the new configuration are made usable (stepS109).

As in the above, according to the embodiment of the invention, when thesoftware radio apparatus 100 is reconfigured in function by downloadingsoftware, after the configuration for the software radio section 101 iscompleted normally, provided again are an execution-allowingdifferential program and setting data for the software radio apparatus100. Because all the functions of software are made executable only byresetting using this differential program, it is possible to prevent theoperation, such as abnormal radio transmission, in the case that theconfiguration based on the downloaded software is not normallycompleted, causing an imperfect status of radio apparatus. Meanwhile, bysending execution-allowing data after authentication by the softwareradio apparatus or user's individual ID, it is possible to manage theconfiguration information of an individual software radio apparatus orto prevent the disguise by other software radio apparatus.

Incidentally, the arrangement detail of the software radio apparatus isnot limited to the arrangement of FIG. 1. For example, thedigital-signal processing section 1019 not necessarily requires all ofthe CPU 1013, the DSP 1014 and the FPGA 1015. The combination is to betaken free in accordance with design. For example, there is a case of anarrangement with only FPGA 1015 or an arrangement with only DSP 1014.Meanwhile, besides these devices, the arrangement may be by a devicecapable of being reconfigured. Meanwhile, a processing section based onASIC or the like may be included, as required, as one of the componentsections in order for processing in a particular application. This hasno effect upon the invention.

Meanwhile, the software radio apparatus 101 in this embodiment wasarranged to collectively store the setting data, such as for the CPU,the DSP and the FPGA, in the non-volatile memory 1011. However, theinvention is not limited to this. For example, the arrangement may besuch that non-volatile memory sections for storing setting data areprovided for the respective component sections so that the downloadcontrol section 103 can be controlled to store the downloaded program orsetting data to the respective non-volatile memory sections.

Meanwhile, in the explanation of this embodiment, explanation was madethat part of operation or control is limited for the respective ones ofthe program or setting data in the component sections obtained by thedownload in procedure (step S102). The invention is not limited to this.For example, rewrite may be merely made such that, instead of limitingoperation or control to all the component sections, part of thecomponent sections undergoes operational limitation. For example, thearrangement may be rewritten only in the program for the CPU 1013, tomake a jumping over to an performance test routine in place of the mainprocess routine. Otherwise, the arrangement may be provided to limit theoperation in such a way not to allow jumping over to a particularinterrupt process routine. Meanwhile, as one example of operationlimitation in the analog processing section 1017, the arrangement wasmade such that the receivable channel upon radio signal reception islimited only to one particular part of channels or the gain amount inamplifying reception signal is limited. However, the invention is notlimited to this. For example, the arrangement may be provided not toallow transmission operation itself. Otherwise, by broadening andchanging the pass-band width in a filter of the reception system,control may be made to limit the reception sensitivity performance bypositively degrading the reception SNR characteristic.

Meanwhile, it was mentioned that there is no especial limitation for thecommunication link 105 to be used in software download. Furthermore, thechannel for the data 106 to be downloaded in procedure (step S102) andthe channel for downloading execution-allowing key information 114 inprocedure (step S108) do not necessarily require to be the same. Forexample, by using a broadcast-type communication link for downloadingthe data 106 while using a communication-type link for downloading theexecution-allowing key information 114, the arrangement may be providedto achieve both of communication traffic efficiency improvement andprivacy assurance. Otherwise, the arrangement may use a wired link fordownloading data 106, and a wireless channel generated by the softwareradio section 101 configured by the software data 106 downloaded inprocedure (step S102) for downloading execution-allowing key information114. In this case, limitation may be made to software data 106 in amanner enabling only a wireless-communication operation for downloadingexecution-allowing key information 114.

Meanwhile, in the invention, concerning the ending procedure upon afailure of download, configuration, individual authentication or thelike, there is no limitation to the procedure shown in FIG. 2. Anotherprocedure may be taken to the followed.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, the software downloaded in procedure(step S102) was partly limited in operation or the like. However, thisis not limited to. For example, as described in the second concreteexample for determining a success/failure of configuration completion oneach component section, the to-be-download program assumably contains aself-check program of whether or not the software radio section 101configured operates normally in function and performance. By executingthis program, determination may be made whether or not the arrangementin procedure (step S105) has normally ended. Meanwhile, theexecution-allowing key information forwarded in procedure (step S108)may contain such information as to delete or skip a self-check programpart. In the final configuration in procedure (step S109), thearrangement or method may be provided to change the setting for deletionor skipping.

Embodiment 2

This embodiment explains the arrangement and procedure for obtainingexecution permission for all the functions by reading a program part outof the storage memory to thereby carry out configuration upon updatingthe software radio apparatus by software download, followed by taking aprocess of obtaining an execution permission from the license server.

FIG. 3 shows a download system arrangement for a software radioapparatus in embodiment 2.

In FIG. 3, a software radio apparatus 200 is different from thearrangement of FIG. 1 shown in embodiment 1 in that a download controlsection 203 is provided in place of the download control section 103 anda user interface section 204 and interface section 202 are newlyprovided. The software radio apparatus 200 is allowed to read out theprogram data stored in a software-data storage media 201 by a connectionto the software-data storage media 201. Also, the difference from thedownload system for a software radio apparatus shown in FIG. 1 lies inthat a license server 205 is provided in place of the download server102.

The software-data storage media 201 is stored with the program data forconfiguring the software radio section 101, to output this program databy a connection to an interface section 202. This is configured by anon-volatile memory, e.g., a flash ROM.

The interface section 202 connects between the software-data storagemedia 201 and the download control section 203, reads out and outputsthe program data stored in the software-data storage media 201, undercontrol of the download control section 203.

The download control section 203 reads out, with the software-datastorage media 201, a program, setting data, etc. for configuration tothe software radio section 101 through the interface section 202,transfers it to the non-volatile memory section 1011, and inputs andoutputs control information 211, 214, 218 with the software radiosection 101. Meanwhile, this outputs the information related to downloadcontrol to the user-interface section 204. Herein, the detail of controlinformation and download control will be described later.

The user interface 204 is to convey information to the user who is touse the software radio apparatus 200. This is, for example, structuredby a display section, e.g., a display or an LED, a sound output sectionsuch as a speaker, and the like. In this embodiment, it is assumablystructured by a display as one example, to assumably display on thedisplay the control information about software download control ascharacters.

The license server 205 constitutes a wireless communication link withthe software radio apparatus 200, to provide execution-allowing keyinformation for the software radio section over the wirelesscommunication link. The detail of the operation will be described later.

In the download system for a software radio apparatus arranged as above,the operation for configuring software data to the software radioapparatus 200 is explained below, step by step, in a part different fromthe procedure shown in FIG. 2, while using an arrangement of FIG. 3 anda flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

In the case to change the function of the software radio section 101,check is made whether or not the interface section 202 of the softwareradio apparatus 200 has connected the software-data storage media 201.This is repeated until a connection is detected (step S201).

Then, the download control section 203 reads out the configuring programand setting data 210 for software radio section 101 stored in thesoftware-data storage media 201 through the interface section 202, andtransfers it to the non-volatile memory section 1011 (step S202).Incidentally, also in this embodiment, the setting data for componentsection in the software radio section 101 is partly rewrittenintentionally similarly to the first embodiment. Namely, the functionsto be executed in nature in the software radio section 101 are limitedin part thereof.

Then, the download control section 203 of the software radio apparatus200 determines whether or not the program and data part of software havebeen normally transferred to the non-volatile memory section 1011. Inthe case not normally transferred, transfer-failure notificationinformation 211 notifying the fact that the transfer is failed isoutputted to the user-interface section 204 (step S211). Thereafter, theprocedure is ended. In the case that the transfer has normallycompleted, transfer-completion notification information 212 is suppliedto the configuration control section 1012, and the process moves to stepS204.

Then, the setting data 210, transferred under control of theconfiguration control section 1012 of the software radio apparatus 200and stored in the non-volatile memory section 1011, is read out andsupplied to each component section through the bus 1018, to effectconfiguration for the software radio section 101 (step S204).Specifically, executed for example are PLL setting parameter change ofthe synthesizer in the analog processing section 1017, setting valuechange of quantization bits and sampling rate in the analog-digitalconverting section 1016, gate array rearrangement in the FPGA 1015, andexecution program loading in the DSP 1014 and CPU 1013.

Then, the configuration control section 1012 determines whether or notthe configuration in each component section by the step S204 has beencompleted (step S205), and supplies a determination result 110 to thedownload control section 203. Herein, for how to determine asuccess/failure of configuration completion, it is possible to apply thearrangement and operation similar to the concrete examples shown in thefirst embodiment. In the case the configuration has not been normallycompleted, configuration-failure information 213 is notified to theuser-interface section 204 (step S212) and thereafter the procedure isended. In the case the configuration has been normally completed, theprocess moves to step S206.

Incidentally, in this determination, even in the case that resetting isnot successful, operation may be made for trial-resetting a pluralitynumber of times.

Then, the download control section 203 of the software radio apparatus200 starts up the software on the software radio section 101 by astart-up signal.

Then, software radio section 101 of the software radio apparatus 200build a radio communication link 215 with the license server 205 andsends, to the license server 205, a key-information request signal 216notifying a configuration normal completion in the software radiosection 101 and requesting for sending execution-allowing keyinformation (step S207). Herein, as for the radio specification andprotocol for session commencement upon arranging a radio communicationlink 215 at between the software radio section 101 and the licenseserver 205, no especial limitation is made in the invention. It may bepreviously determined with the software configured to the license server205 and software radio section 101. Herein, the key-information requestsignal 216 contains the individual ID information given to the softwareradio apparatus 200 or the ID information of a user using the softwareradio apparatus 200, similarly to the signal 112 in embodiment 1.Incidentally, as for the individual ID or part of the user IDinformation, the arrangement may be with encryption in respect ofsecurity. The user ID can use a credit card ID number or a member'snumber in the case of a membership-based service.

Then, the license server 205, when receiving the execution-allowingkey-information request signal 216 sent from the software radioapparatus 200, individually authenticates the software radio apparatus200 on the basis of the individual ID information contained in thesignal, and processes for billing or the like as required (step S208).In the case the individual authentication or billing process is failedfor a certain reason, failure-concerned information 217 is notified tothe software radio apparatus 200 (step S213), and thereafter the processis ended. In the case the individual authentication or billing processis normally completed, the process moves to step S209.

Then, the execution-allowing key information 218 is forwarded from thelicense server 205 to the download control section 203 through thewireless communication link 215 and software radio section 101 (stepS209). Herein, the execution-allowing key information 218 assumablycorresponds to a differential program or differential-setting data forcanceling the limitation matter in the respective component sections ofthe CPU 1013, DSP 1014, FPGA 1015, analog-digital converting section1016 and analog processing section 1017 of the software radio section101. Meanwhile, the execution-allowing key information 218 may bestructured with encryption to be decrypted only by the software radioapparatus 200, in respect of security.

Then, the configuration control section 1012 of the software radioapparatus 200 writes part of the newly downloaded differential programor differential-setting data to the respective component sections,thereby completing the configuration over the software radio section101. All the functions based on the new configuration are made usable(step S210).

As in the above, according to the embodiment of the invention, when thesoftware radio apparatus 100 is reconfigured in function by reading outthe software stored in the storage media, after the configuration to thesoftware radio apparatus 100 is completed normally, provided again is anexecution-allowing differential setting data for the software radioapparatus 100. Because all the functions of software are made executableonly by resetting using it, it is possible to prevent the operation,such as abnormal radio transmission, in the case that the configurationof the new software is not normally completed, causing an incompletestatus of the radio apparatus. Meanwhile, by sending execution-allowingdata based on the individual ID of the radio apparatus, it is possibleto manage the configuration information of an individual software radioapparatus or to prevent the disguise by other software radioapparatuses.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, although explanation was made tostructure the software-data storage media 201 by a flash ROM, theinvention is not limited to this. It is satisfactory that program datacan be stored and program data can be read out by a connection to thesoftware radio apparatus 200 through an interface. Accordingly, thearrangement may be for example by a memory device, such as a ROM or anEEPROM, other than a flash ROM, a light-storage media such as a CD-R, amagnetic media such as a floppy disk.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, although the arrangement was thatcommunication of an execution-allowing key-information request 216 andexecution-allowing key-information request 218 and exchange of otherpieces of control information are made through the radio communicationlink 215 for communication in the software radio section 101, theinvention is not limited to this arrangement and operation. For example,the arrangement may be by using a wireless link not relying upon a wiredlink or the software radio section 101 in place of the radiocommunication link 215, as in the communication link 105 in the FIG. 1arrangement.

Embodiment 3

This embodiment explains the arrangement and procedure in obtaining froma media storing execution-allowing key information, instead of themethod of obtaining execution-allowing key information through thewireless communication link, when configuring the software radio sectionby reading out a program part out of the storage memory, as explained inembodiment 2.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of a software radio apparatus in embodiment3. A software radio apparatus 300 is different from the arrangement ofFIG. 3 shown in embodiment 2 in that an execution-allowing keyinformation storage media 301 is made connectable through an interfacesection 202 instead of a connection to the license server 205 throughthe radio communication link 215, and a download control section 302 isprovided in place of the download control section 203. The otherarrangement and operation is the same as that of the same referencenumber in the software radio apparatus 200 of FIG. 3.

The execution-allowing key information storage media 301 is a mediastoring the information corresponding to the execution-allowing keyinformation already explained in embodiments 1 and 2. By a connectionwith the interface section 202, the information is read out. Also, theinformation is written (overwritten, including erasure) into the storagemedia through the interface section 202. Meanwhile, in this embodiment,the execution-allowing key information storage media 301 assumably isstored with also the information for authenticating the individual ID ofthe software radio apparatus 300. Incidentally, this execution-allowingkey information storage media 301 is structured by a non-volatilememory, e.g., a flash ROM.

The download control section 302 reads out the data stored in thestorage media through the interface section 202 and transfers it to thenon-volatile memory section 1011. Also, it performs writing on the basisof the write-command information to the storage media, and input/outputcontrol information 210, 211, 303 to/from the software radio section 101and the user-interface section 204.

In the software radio apparatus 300 arranged as above, the operation fordownloading and configuring software data, is explained below step bystep in a part different from the procedure shown in FIG. 2, while usingan arrangement of FIG. 5 and a flowchart shown in FIG. 6.

In the case to change the function of the software radio section 101, bythe process from procedure (step S201) to procedure (step S206) in FIG.4 shown in embodiment 2, the software data stored in the softwarestorage media 201 is read out to configure the software radio section101.

Then, check is made whether or not the execution-allowing keyinformation storage media 301 is connected to the interface section 202,which is repeated until a connection is detected (step S302). Then,individual ID authentication is made between the download controlsection 302 of the software radio apparatus 300 and theexecution-allowing key information storage media 301, to authenticatewhether or not the software radio apparatus 300 or a user using it is tobe allowed for execution by the execution-allowing key informationstorage media 301 (step S303). In the invention, there is no especiallimitation in the method for individual authentication. Various methodsalready disclosed are applicable. In the case the authentication processis failed for a certain reason, the information 303 about failure isnotified to the software radio apparatus 300 (step S307), and thereafterthe process is ended. In the case the authentication process is normallycompleted, the process moves to step S304.

Then, the execution-allowing key information 304 is transferred from theexecution-allowing key information storage media 301 to the downloadcontrol section 303 through the interface section 202. Herein, theexecution-allowing key information 304, as in the embodiment 2,assumably corresponds to a differential program or differential-settingdata for canceling the limitation matter in the respective componentsections of the CPU 1013, DSP 1014, FPGA 1015, analog-digital convertingsection 1016 and analog processing section 1017 of the software radiosection 101. Meanwhile, the execution-allowing key information 304 maybe configured with encryption to be decrypted only by the software radioapparatus 300, in respect of security.

Then, the configuration control section 1012 of the software radioapparatus 300 writes part of the newly downloaded differential programor differential-setting data to the respective component sections,thereby completing the configuration on the software radio section 101.All the functions based on the new configuration are made usable.

Then, in the stage the final configuration completed, a write signal 305for writing the information that configuration has been normallycompleted and the software radio apparatus 300 is using a softwareexecution license is outputted to the execution-allowing key informationstorage media 301 through the interface section 202 (step S306).

As in the above, according to the embodiment of the invention, when thesoftware radio apparatus 300 is reconfigured in function by reading outthe software stored in the storage media, after the configuration to thesoftware radio section is completed normally, again provided is anexecution-allowing differential setting data for the software radioapparatus by the storage media. Because all the functions of softwareare made executable only by resetting using that, it is possible toprevent the operation, such as abnormal radio transmission, in the casethat the configuration of the new software is not normally completed,causing an incomplete status of radio apparatus. Meanwhile, by sendingexecution-allowing data based on the individual ID of the radioapparatus, it is possible to manage the configuration information of anindividual software radio apparatus or to prevent the disguise by othersoftware radio apparatuses. Furthermore, in the stage the finalconfiguration is completed on the software radio apparatus, informationrepresentative of license-under-use is written to the media storing theexecution-allowing key information. This can makes it impossible toconnect the storage media to another software radio apparatus and usethe license.

Incidentally, the individual ID is not limited to an individual ID onthe software radio apparatus 300 but may be an individual ID of the userwho is to use the software radio apparatus 300, specifically an IDnumber, a password or the like of the credit card possessed by the user.

Meanwhile, this embodiment was arranged that the execution-allowing keyinformation storage media stores also the information for individual IDauthentication, to limit the software radio apparatus capable ofexecuting the software. The invention is not limited to this. Individualauthentication is not always required. By providing an arrangementwithout authentication based on individual IDs and making requisite theprocedure to write the information representative of license-under-useto the executing-allowing key information storage media 301 in the statethe final configuration is completed on the software radio apparatus 300as in the procedure (step S306), it is possible to prevent againstproviding execution permission to many and unspecified software radioapparatuses. Conversely, in the case of an arrangement essentiallyrequiring individual authentication by the procedure (step S303), thewrite process to storage media in the procedure (step S306) is notnecessarily required.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As above, the present invention is useful for a radio communicationapparatus having a function to be changed by changing software, andsuited for updating the function by software download.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMBER LISTING

-   100, 200, 300, 700 SOFTWARE RADIO APPARATUS-   101, 701 SOFTWARE RADIO SECTION 102, 702 DOWNLOAD SERVER-   103, 203, 302, 703 DOWNLOAD CONTROL SECTION-   105, 705 TRANSMISSION LINE-   201 SOFTWARE DATA STORAGE MEDIA-   202 INTERFACE SECTION-   204 USER INTERFACE SECTION-   205 LICENSE SERVER-   301 EXECUTION-ALLOWING KEY INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIA-   1011, 7011 NON-VOLATILE MEMORY SECTION-   1012, 7012 CONFIGURATION CONTROL SECTION-   1016 ANALOG-DIGITAL CONVERTING SECTION-   1017 ANALOG PROCESSING SECTION-   1018, 7013 BUS-   1019 DIGITAL-SIGNAL PROCESSING SECTION-   10161 D/A CONVERTING SECTION-   10162, 10163 A/D CONVERTING SECTION-   10171 ANTENNA-   10172 ANTENNA SW-   10173 ANALOG-TRANSMISSION PROCESSING SECTION-   101731 FREQUENCY CONVERTING SECTION-   101732 POWER AMPLIFYING SECTION-   10174 ANALOG-RECEPTION PROCESSING SECTION-   101741 LOW-NOISE AMPLIFYING SECTION-   101742 FREQUENCY CONVERTING SECTION-   10175 POWER MONITOR SECTION-   10191 DIGITAL-TRANSMISSION PROCESSING SECTION-   10192 DIGITAL-RECEPTION PROCESSING SECTION-   10193 TRANSMISSION-SIGNAL TEST PROCESSING SECTION-   101931 POWER MEASURING SECTION-   101932 SPECTRUM ANALYZING SECTION-   101933 MODULATION-ACCURACY ANALYZING SECTION

1. A method for updating software in a radio communication systemcomprising a radio communication apparatus having a communicationfunction to be changed by changing software and a download server forsupplying software to the radio communication apparatus, the methodcomprising the steps of: downloading from the download server to theradio communication apparatus software data in which a part of thecommunication function is limited by a limitation; storing thedownloaded software data in a memory device by the radio communicationapparatus; reconfiguring by the radio communication apparatus thecommunication function by use of the software data stored in the memory;testing a performance of the communication function by the radiocommunication apparatus to determine whether or not reconfiguration ofthe communication function has been successfully completed; requestingby the radio communication apparatus an execution-allowing keyinformation for canceling the limitation of the communication functionin a case when it is determined that the reconfiguration of thecommunication function has been successfully completed; supplying fromthe download server to the radio communication apparatus theexecution-allowing key information in response to the request; andcanceling by the radio communication apparatus the limitation of thecommunication function by use of the execution-allowing key informationsupplied by the server.
 2. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of: performing the test by outputting atransmission signal generated by the radio communication apparatus as apower that can be detected by the radio communication apparatus itself,and determining whether or not the transmission signal receivedsatisfies a predetermined performance, and providing a normal testresult in a case of satisfying the predetermined performance.
 3. Themethod according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of:determining whether or not the predetermined performance is satisfied bydetermining that a spectrum mask of the transmission signal, powerleakage outside of an occupation band, modulation accuracy of amodulation signal including phase jitter and amplitude variation, andreception power, are within a range of a predetermined value.
 4. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:downloading the software data on a first channel, and transmitting theexecution-allowing key information on a second channel.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: downloading thesoftware data on the first channel which is a channel for a broadcasttype communication or a multicast type communication, and transmittingthe execution-allowing key information on the second channel which is achannel for an individual communication type.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising the steps of: limiting the communicationfunction by at least one of limiting a digital signal process andlimiting an analog reception process in the radio communicationapparatus, restoring by the execution-allowing key information which isdifferential program data the program of the digital signal process in acase the digital signal process is limited, and canceling by a controldata an operation limitation in the analog reception process in a casethe analog reception process is limited.
 7. A method for updatingsoftware in a radio communication system comprising a radiocommunication apparatus having a communication function to be changed bychanging software and a license server for supplying anexecution-allowing key information for canceling a limitation in thecommunication function, the method comprising the steps of: downloadingfrom a media to a connected radio communication apparatus software datain which a part of the communication function is limited; storing thedownloaded software data in a memory device by the radio communicationapparatus; reconfiguring by the radio communication apparatus thecommunication function by use of the downloaded software data stored inthe memory device; testing a performance of the communication functionby the radio communication apparatus to determine whether or notreconfiguration of the communication function has been successfullycompleted; requesting to the license server from the radio communicationapparatus the execution-allowing key information for canceling thelimitation of the communication function in a case when it is determinedthat the reconfiguration of the communication function has beensuccessfully completed; supplying from the license sever to the radiocommunication apparatus the execution-allowing key information inresponse to the request; and canceling by the radio communicationapparatus the limitation of the communication function by use of theexecution-allowing key information supplied by the server.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7, further comprising the steps of: performing thetest by outputting a transmission signal generated by the radiocommunication apparatus as a power that can be detected by the radiocommunication apparatus itself, and determining whether or not thetransmission signal received satisfies a predetermined performance, andproviding a normal test result in a case of satisfying the predeterminedperformance.
 9. A method of updating software comprising the steps of:downloading from a first media to a connected radio communicationapparatus software data in which a part of a communication function ofthe radio communication apparatus is limited by a limitation; storingthe downloaded software data in a memory device by the radiocommunication apparatus; reconfiguring by the radio communicationapparatus the communication function by use of the downloaded softwaredata stored in the memory device; testing a performance of thecommunication function by the radio communication apparatus to determinewhether or not reconfiguration of the communication function has beensuccessfully completed; downloading from a second media to the connectedradio communication apparatus an execution-allowing key information forcanceling the limitation of the communication function when it isdetermined that the reconfiguration of the communication function hasbeen successfully completed; and canceling by the radio communicationapparatus the limitation of the communication function by use of theexecution-allowing key information.
 10. The method according to claim 9,further comprising the steps of: writing to the second media from theradio communication apparatus information representative of beingalready-used after canceling the limitation of the communicationfunction by use of the execution-allowing key information.
 11. Themethod according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of: performingthe test by outputting a transmission signal generated by the radiocommunication apparatus as a power that can be detected by the radiocommunication apparatus itself, and determining whether or not thetransmission signal received satisfies a predetermined performance, andproviding a normal test result in a case of satisfying the predeterminedperformance.
 12. A radio communication apparatus having a communicationfunction to be changed by changing software, the radio communicationapparatus characterized by comprising: a download control section fordownloading software in which a part of the communication function islimited by a limitation and downloading an execution-allowing keyinformation for canceling the limitation of the communication function;a memory device for storing the downloaded software; a software radiosection for reconfiguring the communication function by use of thedownloaded software stored in the memory device; and a test section fortesting a performance of the communication function to determine whetheror not the reconfiguration of the communication function has beensuccessfully completed; whereby, when the test section determines thatthe reconfiguration of the communication function has been successfullycompleted, the download control section downloads the execution-allowingkey information to the software radio section and cancels the limitationof the communication function.
 13. The radio communication apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein the memory device of the software radiosection is non-volatile memory for storing the software downloaded bythe download control section, the software radio section has aconfiguration control section for updating the communication function byuse of the software stored.
 14. The radio communication apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein the limitation of the communicationfunction of the downloaded software is a part of a program for a digitalsignal processing section in the software radio section, and theexecution-allowing key information is differential program data forrestoring the program for the digital signal processing section.
 15. Theradio communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein thelimitation of the communication function of the downloaded software is apart of a program for a digital signal processing section in thesoftware radio section, and the execution-allowing key information isdifferential program data for restoring the program for the digitalsignal processing section.
 16. A radio communication apparatus having acommunication function to be changed by changing software, the radiocommunication apparatus characterized by comprising: an interfacesection for having a connection with a media storing software; a firstdownload control section for downloading software from the media throughthe interface section in which a part of the communication function islimited by a limitation; a memory device for storing the downloadedsoftware; a software radio section for reconfiguring the communicationfunction by use of the downloaded software stored in the memory device;a second download control section for having a connection to a licenseserver for supplying through a wireless communication channel connectedwith the software radio section an execution-allowing key information tocancel the limitation of the communication function; and a test sectionfor testing a performance of the communication function to determinewhether or not reconfiguration of the communication function by thesoftware downloaded by the first download control section has beensuccessfully completed; whereby, when the test section determines thatthe reconfiguration of the communication function has been successfullycompleted, the second download control section downloads theexecution-allowing key information to the software radio section andcancels the limitation of the communication function.
 17. The radiocommunication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the softwareincludes a program for connecting through a wireless communicationchannel with the license server by updating the downloaded software inthe software radio section.
 18. A radio communication apparatus having acommunication function to be changed by changing software, the radiocommunication apparatus characterized by comprising: an interfacesection for having a connection with a media for storing at least one ofsoftware data and an execution-allowing key information for canceling alimitation of the communication function; a download control section fordownloading, from the media, the software in which a part of thecommunication function is limited and downloading through the interfacesection, the execution-allowing key information; a memory device forstoring the downloaded software; a software radio section forreconfiguring the communication function by use of the downloadedsoftware stored in the memory device; and a test section for testing aperformance of the communication function to determine whether or notthe reconfiguration of the communication function by the software hasbeen successfully completed; whereby, when the test section determinesthat the reconfiguration of the communication function has beensuccessfully completed, the download control section downloads theexecution-allowing key information to the software radio section andcancels the limitation of the communication function.